How in the world did Andy Anderson stumble upon a pirate reunion?

When Andy Anderson returned home from a trip to Dillion Beach he shared with us photographs of some pirates that he met there.  Yes, pirates.  We of course knew that we had to share these and the story behind them.  Here is what he had to say:

“Sometimes you never know what images will be handed to you. You can try and coordinate, deliberate, agonize and still never get what you want or need creatively.  Well let me tell you a little story about a 2000 mile personal shoot while pulling my airstream.  My travels took me to Monument Valley, Southern California first (very hot I might add) and then to Northern California’s Lawson’s Landing in Dillon Beach, Ca.

This place is a wonderful.  I love the light,the  sand dunes and most important the fabulous people. I didn’t really have any idea what I wanted to shoot and just wanted to see what would present itself.  Well it did!   Luck would have it that I was camped in front of a Pirate Reunion. Yes, a Pirate Reunion. It had all the things you think modern day Pirates would have. A pick up truck outfitted with a ship’s mast and pirate flag, actual gunpowder pistols (they would only fire these at 3am), and folks dressed up in all the regalia one would think a pirate would wear. It was the mother-load visually. I was flabbergasted!!!

The costumes they were wearing were fabulous.  The colors and textures were striking.  These characters were just simply amazing.

Well after bribing them with good Jamaican rum (remember Pirates only drink Rum)  they allowed me to photograph them.

Once I again I was reminded that sometimes you just have to go with the flow and do what you do best. Just LOOK, pay attention and try not control things too much.

Serendipity!”